Fast AF film P&S

[jbielikowski]

P&S AF =/= fast

sorry, but your only hope is scale focusing.

[CK Dexter Haven]

Purely out of curiosity- what do you need to shoot that would require AF to be better than what has been listed here? I mean, even if someone came up with the ideal solution, it would still be only a teensy bit better than the others.

I've had, in order: Contax T2, Contax T3, Hexar AF, Leica CM, another T3, Klasse, and now a Stylus Epic. I'm sure there were differences, but i currently have no recollection of which was better re: AF speed. Maybe it's how i use AF? I always do the 'half press' thing to lock/ensure focus and then make the exposure, and i don't shoot moving objects. If you need to focus+expose all in one button press, i kinda think you'll always be disappointed in a non-SLR AF system.

[v_roma]

It's really just meant to be an everyday, casual camera, which is why I don't want it to be too big or too expensive. The thing is, everyday for me also means it has to keep up with my very active (and fast) 2 year old. To give you an idea, the Klasse AF speed could not keep up at all, while the Hexar AF could comfortably. Unfortunately, the Hexar is not exactly compact. You see, I just want cheap, small, and super fast AF. Not too much to ask, is it??

EDIT: I do the half-press the shutter as well. I was not looking for fast "full press" camera. I was looking for a camera that was fast to pre-focus on half-press with none to negligible lag on full press. /EDIT

Zone focus is an option, I suppose, as many have pointed out. By the way, thank you all again for all the suggestions. Much appreciated.

[Greyscale]

Just look for a camera with "snapshot mode" (infinity lock). There are many.

[David_Manning]

Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.

Contax T3. Better metering than my M6 ever had, Sonnar 35/2.8 that rivals all the big primes (including other Zeiss models), totally pocketable (ok...maybe not jeans pocket)...just an extremely nice P&S.

[btgc]

Originally Posted by Greyscale

Just look for a camera with "snapshot mode" (infinity lock). There are many.

Snap mode locks focus at, usually, 2.5m (about 10ft).
I wish it would be possible to enter set-up mode and lock focus at my snap distance.

Some cameras have means to electronically set distance, kind of manual focus by LCD. Fuji DL Super Mini and Zoom variety, those in metal body do have MFbyLCD.

[Neare]

Originally Posted by David_Manning

Contax T3. Better metering than my M6 ever had, Sonnar 35/2.8 that rivals all the big primes (including other Zeiss models), totally pocketable (ok...maybe not jeans pocket)...just an extremely nice P&S.

It fits in the back pocket quite well.

[FalseDigital]

You can lock the focus with half press on a stylus epic. It's cheap, it's good. Get it.

[btgc]

Originally Posted by FalseDigital

You can lock the focus with half press on a stylus epic. It's cheap, it's good. Get it.

I'd like to lock focus until I unlock it. For several shots, that's it.

[petronius]

I found the AF of the earlier generation P&S always faster than the newer models. The Konica AF3 , the Minolta AF-C nd the Pentax PC 35 AF. All of them have active AF, good lenses and a silent shutter/manual advance.

[btgc]

Originally Posted by petronius

I found the AF of the earlier generation P&S always faster than the newer models. The Konica AF3 , the Minolta AF-C nd the Pentax PC 35 AF. All of them have active AF, good lenses and a silent shutter/manual advance.

Probably because small fixed focal length lenses are easier/faster to set into proper position to obtain focus?

[Archlich]

Originally Posted by btgc

Some cameras have means to electronically set distance, kind of manual focus by LCD. Fuji DL Super Mini and Zoom variety, those in metal body do have MFbyLCD.

This takes us back to the GR1v, of which the snap mode can be set to 1m, 2m, 3m and 5m. Zero lag.

[OlliL]

How about the Fuji Silvi F2.8?

It offers three preset focus points:

Self-Portrait Mode = Arm length
Quick Shot = Around 2m, I believe
Infinity

But SP and QS only work with 24mm AFAIK.

[btgc]

Originally Posted by Archlich

This takes us back to the GR1v, of which the snap mode can be set to 1m, 2m, 3m and 5m. Zero lag.

I'm content with Fuji DL Super Mini Zoom which also allows to set distance in smaller increments, though 28mm instead of 24mm(?) and full AE instead of Av. But more friendly to my wallet

Originally Posted by OlliL

How about the Fuji Silvi F2.8?

It offers three preset focus points:

Self-Portrait Mode = Arm length
Quick Shot = Around 2m, I believe
Infinity

But SP and QS only work with 24mm AFAIK.

Yes, Zoom Date F2.8 aka Silvi is nice camera. SP mode resets after each shot. European Silvi (Zoom Date F2.8) don't have infinity lock. I think Silvi differs having EV correction.

[OlliL]

My ZoomDate does have infinity lock!

[btgc]

Originally Posted by OlliL

My ZoomDate does have infinity lock!

My fault - FZD2.8 indeed has INF lock. It resets after each shot. What would we do if MF lenses would jump off infinity setting each time we take a shot?

Clearly automated P&S cameras are made that even if user sets them wrong way they reset to baseline after shot (or OFF/ON). Wouldn't it be nice if there would be switch on camera allowing to control whether settings should be kept or reset after each shot?

[Greyscale]

I know that Ricoh made an inexpensive camera that let you switch between AF and zone focus, and also allowed manual aperture settings, but I can't seem to remember the model. Samsung ECX1 allows manual focus, but it is far from compact. Nikon AW35/Sport Touch is a quality fixed-focus (3' to infinity) weatherproof camera with a very good lens (was originally meant to compete with Oly Stylus).

[btgc]

Originally Posted by Greyscale

I know that Ricoh made an inexpensive camera that let you switch between AF and zone focus, and also allowed manual aperture settings

Ricoh 35R is the model. 3 distance settings (plus INF), 3 aperture settings. But it has hot shoe, exp. compensation and bracketing.

[petronius]

Originally Posted by btgc

Probably because small fixed focal length lenses are easier/faster to set into proper position to obtain focus?

Thats right; sometimes I think the AF was only built in these cameras for marketing purposes. Given the fact that most photography with P&S is done in good light or with flash, a zone focus cam would do the work too.

[Greyscale]

Originally Posted by btgc

Ricoh 35R is the model. 3 distance settings (plus INF), 3 aperture settings. But it has hot shoe, exp. compensation and bracketing.

That would be the one. Also sold as the MF-1, apparently.

[btgc]

Originally Posted by Greyscale

That would be the one. Also sold as the MF-1, apparently.

yes, beloved child has many names, as used to say my teacher (in regard to theorems).

[v_roma]

Just reviving this thread to thank everyone again for the suggestions and to say I went with an Olympus Trip 35 in the end. Haven't put a roll through it yet (want to replace seals and reskin first) but I think it might just fit the bill.

[hififish]

the klasse w, with superb lens, has very fast af and not-so-slow manual focus (prefocus) option- highly recommended.
to me the only con. is the size, just a little too big to put into shirt pocket .

[v_roma]

I found the AF speed just a little too slow for my purposes. It was by no means sluggish for most uses, I would think. It is definitely a wonderful point & shoot, though. The lens really is fantastic.

Originally Posted by hififish

the klasse w, with superb lens, has very fast af and not-so-slow manual focus (prefocus) option- highly recommended.
to me the only con. is the size, just a little too big to put into shirt pocket .

[OlliL]

After comparing GR1, Klasse W, Mju-II.... I can honestly say:

Hexar AF beats all the others by far.
It's even faster, than my X100.